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Allison opened the door to her parents’ Florida condo and walked into the vestibule. From the living room’s stereo speakers, she could hear a song blaring. It was from the soundtrack of My Fair Lady. Her parents were totally into Broadway musicals, which is where she figured she got her love of it from, too.

As the final song of the show began playing, Allison’s mind drifted back...

...to a night a number of years ago, during the era in which she lived for living in the City. After seeing a show on Broadway, Allison was enjoying a late night bite at the Algonquin with her then boyfriend Scott. For a while, they chatted about the show and what they thought of it: she loved it and he didn’t get it. After a while, the talk, as usual, reverted to Scott and whatever concerned or interested him.

Allison ignored Scott’s self-indulgent prattling on about his work at the newspaper (circulation – not reporting) and instead, began imagining herself back in the early 1920s, sharing a table with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Heywood Broun, Dorothy Parker and Alexander Woollcott.

Ah Edna! When did you arrive in the Rose Room? Do join us at the table, dear! And, oh! Isn’t that Harpo Marx and George S. Kaufman? Halloo, gentlemen! We can all scootch over a bit to make room, can’t we? Dorothy was just saying...

“- and then, Mr. Gerber told me what a great job I was doing, as usual!” said Scott, who rather unhappily broke into Allison’s daydream.

“That’s nice.” Allison smiled politely. She picked up a forkful of salad.

“Yes, it is! But what else would you expect?” Scott looked self-satisfied and smug.

Tell me again. What was it that I ever saw in Scott? I sure don’t get it now. Allison yawned.

“Late hour or the company?” Scott sounded very offended.

“Umm, just the hour, Scott. I had to be in the office early today for a meeting. Sorry.”

Allison turned her head to glance at the people in the party at the next table. Most were formally attired elderly folk. One particular gentleman seemed vaguely familiar to her. She wondered if he - or any of them for that matter - were from New York’s golden, glamorous age about which she so liked to fantasize. Suddenly it dawned on her: The familiar-looking man was Rex Harrison.

I’ve grown accustomed to his face... began playing in Allison’s head. She smiled at Mr. Harrison, who made eye contact with her, and nodded graciously, as if to say, “Yes, it is indeed I. May I wish you and your young man a pleasant evening,”after which, he returned to his dinner companions, as Allison returned to hers.

“Allison? Sweetheart? Are you all right, honey?”

Allison blinked. She blushed as she realized she was standing in the middle of her parents’ aqua, peach and white living room. “Sorry, Daddy. Mom. I was just listening to the music on your stereo, and doing a bit of wool gathering.”

“Happens to me all the time.” Allison’s father grinned.

“Well, let’s get ready to go, then,” said her mother, looking at her watch, “We’re supposed to meet your brother and his wife at Penridge’s at five. All right?”

Allison’s father walked over to the stereo to turn it off.

“Wait, Daddy. Can you hit eject? I think I want to take this with us and listen to it in the car on the ride over to the restaurant.”

Allison’s father handed her the jewelbox, after which she and her parents got into her rented Civic and drove off. Allison put the CD into the player and smiled as it began to play.

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RJ Clarken -- Emeritus

RJ Clarken's first YA novel PENNY WISHES was published by Lilley Press in 2009. She is also the author of a quirky, offbeat collection of humorous poetry, MUGGING FOR THE CAMERA. She lives in NJ with her husband, son and daughter (twins!) and her crazy Cairn terrier.

Walt Wojtanik

Walt Wojtanik's poetry collection WOOD was released in 2011. With many more in the works, Walt wonders if he'll have enough time to complete them. But he promises to have fun trying! He has written and staged three plays, and is a musician. Walt currently lives in NY, has two daughters, a son-in-law and a granddog!